Hundreds of graduating soldiers parade at under-scrutiny Army college
There are allegations of abuse and harassment at the Army Foundation College
No mention was made of the controversy over rape and sexual abuse allegations at the Army Foundation College as around 900 junior soldiers marked the end of their basic training with a graduation parade in front of their families and senior officers.
The graduation event on the outskirts of Harrogate, in North Yorkshire, is billed as the second largest military parade in the UK after Trooping the Colour, in central London.
Hundreds of young soldiers were watched on Thursday by around 5,000 relatives and friends who gathered in stands around the parade ground to celebrate them taking their first steps on their Army careers.
Senior inspecting officer Major General Owen Bunkle told the soldiers lined up in front of him on the parade ground: “You stand here today having completed training and proven to yourselves, and to one another, that you’re able to take your place in the British Army.
“In my three decades of service, I have never known a more important moment for young men and women to choose this path.
“Our world is less certain, our security is more contested, and the need for capable and committed soldiers to stand guard, deter aggression and protect our way of life has never been greater.”
He added: “You have chosen a path to something bigger than yourselves – a profession built of courage, service, loyalty and trust.”
And he said that “this is your moment” as he reminded them that “every serving soldier remembered passing-out parade”.
After the parade, the graduating soldiers posed for pictures with their families before moving on to celebrations.
They have completed either six or 12 months of training at the college and will now go on to join their units.
Planned interviews with participants were cancelled.